Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), have introduced an efficient biodegradation technique that transforms organic waste into valuable products, addressing critical issues in waste management. The Waste Management Research Group (WMRG) at the institute, led by Professor Ajay S Kalamdhad, has devised a two-stage biodegradation process that promises to revolutionize the way municipal corporations handle organic waste.
The technique, named Rotary Drum Composting with Vermicomposting (RDVC), combines the benefits of Rotary Drum Composting with Vermicomposting to create an environmentally friendly process. Prof. Kalamdhad stated, “We optimized the Rotary Drum Composting technique and combined it with vermicomposting to reduce the duration of biodegradation. The earthworms, Eisenia fetida, can acclimatize faster to partially degraded organic matter from the drum compost and produce vermicompost in just 27 days.”
This innovative approach enables municipal corporations to derive value-added products from organic waste in a remarkably short period. The two-stage biodegradation technique can convert diverse organic feedstocks into nutrient-dense compost within just 20 days, a significant improvement compared to traditional methods requiring 2-3 months. However, it is noted in the official press release that the Rotary Drum Composting technique may yield inferior compost quality.
To verify the efficacy of the technique on a larger scale, a 5000-litre Rotary Drum Composting unit and a 3000-litre stack Vermicomposting unit were established for experimental purposes. The study utilized horticulture waste collected from the IIT Guwahati campus. At the end of the study, an impressive 100 to 150 kg of vermicompost was produced within a month from 250 to 300 kg of daily waste input.
The research findings, co-authored by Suryateja Pottipati and Prof. Ajay S. Kalamdhad, have been published in reputable journals such as the Journal of Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, Journal of Environmental Management, Bioresource Technology, and Waste Management, among others.
Furthermore, the produced product has been introduced to the market under the brand name “Mati Dhan Organic Vermicompost Fertilizer Manure for Plants” and is available for purchase on leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and INDIAMART.
